The Laredo Border Patrol agent accused of killing four Laredo women in September appeared in court for the first time Wednesday for a bond reduction hearing.

Juan David Ortiz, 35, walked into the 111th District Court in an orange jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled. Just 10 minutes into the hearing, Ortiz's attorney, Joey Tellez, told Judge Monica Notzon that he needed more time to prepare. Notzon will reset the hearing after Tellez amends his application seeking the bail reduction.

Tellez told the court that he had asked the prosecution for copies of all mitigating evidence against his client, specifically the video of Ortiz's alleged confession to authorities on the day of his arrest.

Notzon denied Tellez's request for the evidence, saying that the purpose of the hearing was to determine if Ortiz was illegally confined and restrained of his liberty. She also told Tellez she will not order the state to turn over any evidence.

Prosecutors said they would not provide Tellez with any evidence until his client is indicted.

Tellez did not return multiple requests for comment after the hearing.

Ortiz remains behind bars at the Webb County Jail, held on a $2.5 million bond. He is charged with four counts of murder, unlawful restraint and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

On Friday, Tellez filed a request seeking bail reduction. According to the court record, Ortiz is "illegally confined and restrained of liberty" without probable cause and his bond is excessive, oppressive and beyond his financial means.

Tellez claims his client has been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment during his incarceration. In an affidavit, he states that Ortiz is not allowed basic necessities, has to eat with his bare hands and is forced to be nude while in a cell that gets "extremely cold." Following his arrest Sept. 15, Ortiz was placed on suicide watch.

In order to prepare for the bond hearing, Tellez also requested the court to ask the prosecution to "produce any and all documents, evidence and witness lists," according to court records.

The prosecution's response states that Tellez's request is "improper because (the evidence has) no bearing whatsoever on the issue of the adequacy of bail and (Ortiz's) ability to make bail."

Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said his office would turn over the entire evidence packet once Ortiz is formally indicted. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury on Dec. 5.

"The only thing we are willing to provide right now is what's on file," Alaniz said. "The defense has the copies of the affidavits and the complaints that have been released. They are detailed and outlined and it is what we used in order to charge Mr. Ortiz.

"It is very premature to be turning over evidence that we, ourselves, have just received or are preparing. For defense to request right now that they want our evidence is too early, and the judge agreed with us, until he can bring up legal reasons."

He added, "There is other evidence also with the victim who escaped, but the state will maintain that the bond at this time is sufficient to detain him for the protection of the community."

Authorities said Erika Peña helped them find Ortiz after she escaped from his vehicle on Sept. 14.

The prosecution has not decided yet whether they will seek the death penalty.

"I ask the families to be patient," Alaniz said. "I ask them to feel safe and secure knowing that we will do everything within our power to make sure that he's held in custody until the formal charges are filed.

"We will fight to aggressively keep Ortiz in custody because we consider him a flight risk and we consider him a danger to the community. We want to make sure that justice is served and we will do everything within our power to hold him accountable."

Ortiz is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Ramirez, 29, Claudine Luera, 42, Griselda Alicia Hernandez, 35, and Nikki Enriquez, 28, over a 12-day period. Authorities said the four victims were sex workers. Ortiz would pick them up off San Bernardo Avenue, drive them outside city limits and shoot them in the head, according to arrest affidavits.

Authorities said he was off-duty when he killed the women but that he may have used his service weapon in the homicides.